Summary:Cat Power's Chan Marshall returns with her first album of original material since 2006's The Greatest. The release mixed by Philippe Zdar of Cassius also features Iggy Pop on "Nothin' But Time."

Sun might be unexpected to come from Cat Power. But I think the sound is rather refreshing, not disappointing at all. Of course I prefer herSun might be unexpected to come from Cat Power. But I think the sound is rather refreshing, not disappointing at all. Of course I prefer her soft-rock/sadcore sound more, but adding up some dancey beats does no harm for her already-perfect-talent. Sun is amazing in its own style, and definitely not a letdown at all.…Expand

Unarguably the best album of this year. One might say it was a big departing from Chan's last efforts, but it was a change for good. TheUnarguably the best album of this year. One might say it was a big departing from Chan's last efforts, but it was a change for good. The electro style adopted mixed perfectly with her smokey voice and always powerful songwriting. It is, at the same time, personal and universal, because she's singing about both her relations and world's. Best songs are 'Ruin' and 'Manhattan'.…Expand

This is fantastic!. It's a long way from Moon Pix and You Are Free but the elements that made those albums great are there in spades: justThis is fantastic!. It's a long way from Moon Pix and You Are Free but the elements that made those albums great are there in spades: just used for very different stylistic ends. Her vocals still have that amazing, haunting phrasing and I wouldn't have crediting they could meld with electro-pop so well. And the tracks underneath, just so well judged. Everyone has either propulsive rhythmic and harmonic tension, or an fragile beauty. I haven't felt this excited about a new album for a long time.…Expand

Overall, a slight letdown. It's a very heterogenous record and there are some creative high points, she seems comfortable and all... but I'mOverall, a slight letdown. It's a very heterogenous record and there are some creative high points, she seems comfortable and all... but I'm not quite convinced with some of the lyrics and melodies, which sometimes sound like a bit "disharmonic" . But the highlights 'Cherokee' and 'Nothin But Time' kick it up a notch.…Collapse

For her first album in six years Chan Marshall has changed tack slightly, it’s for the better and clear from the first track that this is anFor her first album in six years Chan Marshall has changed tack slightly, it’s for the better and clear from the first track that this is an altogether different beast. Loops, piano and synths, Latin beats and catchy guitar licks fill the eleven songs here. Marshall is in fine voice also and even better when she is dual layering her vocal parts. ‘3,6,9’ is the natural successor to Feist’s ‘1,2,3,4’ and could have been penned by Jack White, it is a strong stand out, as is the nine minute ‘Nothin But Time’ where she is joined by Iggy pop as they sing over a borrowed bit of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’. ‘Manhattan’ seems to evoke the city itself and ‘Silent Machine’ chugs along at a slow almost Nine Inch Nails style pace. But it’s in songs like the opener ‘Cherokee’ and closer ‘Peace and Love’ with its sing-a-long ‘Na Na Na’s’ that Marshall’s knack for writing a compelling tune comes to the forefront and whether it’s in the previously mentioned piano lead ‘Nothin But Time’ or the vocal ‘Human Being’, where the music seems to take a back seat to her voice, there is a real warmth and passion that elevates the songs above the usual singer/songwriter fodder making ‘Sun’ her most accomplished and accessible record to date.…Expand

In the six years since 'The Greatest ' album , Chan Marshall has gone through bankruptcy, foreclosure, alcohol abuse, suicidal tendencies,In the six years since 'The Greatest ' album , Chan Marshall has gone through bankruptcy, foreclosure, alcohol abuse, suicidal tendencies, psychiatric help for the same and at least one more of her infamous break ups. So when her ex commented that the material she was working on sounded like …Expand

I have been following Cat Power since Marshall's stunning "Nude as the News" single. I have bought everything that she put out before andI have been following Cat Power since Marshall's stunning "Nude as the News" single. I have bought everything that she put out before and since. Even the left field turn to soul pop, "The Greatest" was amazing. However Sun is a bland electro-pop sell out that simply does not work. I agree with the TMT review that "its songs are mostly amalgams of tired pop music tropes/techniques and trite realizations". Well put.…Expand